Building blocks for toy construction fastening assembly

ABSTRACT

A connecting block including at least one socket for receiving and releasably engaging an elementary rod is provided. The socket includes at least one spline disposed about the socket opening. The rod is forced into the socket such that it deforms around the one or more splines to accommodate the splines and that the rod is rotationally prevented with respect to the socket. A stopper including a channel for receiving and releasably engaging an elementary rod is further provided. The channel includes a ridge disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the channel. The rod is forced into the channel such that it deforms around the ridge to accommodate the ridge and that the rod is prevented from sliding with respect to the channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention The present invention is directedgenerally to a fastening assembly and more particularly to a releasablyengaged fastening assembly using snap-on components.

2. Background Art

Fabricated blocks or parts have been in existence for many years, andtheir manufacturing techniques have remained fairly consistent over thepast 80 years. Among the most prominent and widely used fabricatedblocks include construction sets marketed under the tradename LEGO®, TheLego Group (Billund, Denmark), including its various brands andtradenames such as DUPLO, BIONICLE, MINDSTORMS, the BELVILLE, KNIGHTS'KINGDOM and EXO-FORCE, the Brick and Knob configurations and theMinifigure. In the LEGO proprietary toys units, wheels, gears, blocks,axle pins, stop bushings are designed to be compression fitted. Lego'saxle pins are provided with rigid splines disposed on their curvedsurfaces and configured to be received by one or more sockets on one ormore blocks, wheels and/or gears. The sockets typically include variousrigid matching splines that do not experience substantial change in sizeor shape when axle pins are mounted. However, the current designs havelimitations, such as, for example, that the axle pins are fabricated invarious fixed lengths. Further, there is a limited number of axle pinlengths which may be feasibly produced. Therefore, there arises a needfor user-configurable assemblies which provide added flexibility in thedesign or construction of an assembly, in particular, varying sizes ofaxle pin lengths.

Further, the seemingly ubiquitous toy construction sets TINKERTOY®marketed by Hasbro, Inc include connecting blocks and rods that arecompression fitted. As will be demonstrated elsewhere in this document,each interface between a connecting block and a rod lacks positivesecurement, thereby allowing the interface to be easily overcome by mereover torquing or pulling of the rod against a socket of the connectingblock.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,782 discloses a plurality of connector blocks andconnecting members. Each connector block is formed to have a bodyportion defining a plurality of sides that extend outwardly from acentral region. Each side is substantially cross-shaped and has asubstantially cross-shaped receiving slot. A plurality of elongatedconnecting members are also provided for releasable engagement withinthe receiving slots of the connector units. This patent disclosesconnecting members that are specially engineered to result in asubstantially cross-shaped or planar profile. Further, the connectingmembers may only be mated to the connector units having cross-shapedreceiving slots. As such, the prior art only works with purpose builtconnecting members.

Thus, there arises a need for a fastening assembly that is versatile,simple to manufacture, low cost to produce and comprises a componentthat can be engaged with a non-proprietary or purpose-built componentpart, a more commonly available material to create a releasably engagedassembly and allow a user to vary the dimensions of the component partsof an assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a fastening assembly forconstructing a releasably engaged structure. The assembly includes aplurality of connecting blocks. Each connecting block includes at leastone circular socket having an internal wall, a central axis and at leastone spline. Each spline includes a longitudinal axis and a transversecross-sectional area. In one embodiment, the circular socket is disposedwith its central axis substantially normal to the surface of theconnecting block on which it is disposed. The spline is disposed on theinternal wall with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to thecentral axis of the circular socket. The circular socket is configuredto be coupled to a cylindrical deformable rod having a central axis andtwo opposing ends. In use, one deformable end is forced into thecircular socket such that the deformable end deforms to accommodate thespline by forming a groove. In its inserted state, the cylindricaldeformable rod is disposed substantially coaxial with the circularsocket and rotational relationship between the circular socket and thecylindrical deformable rod is prevented.

The spline is configured to be removable using a reamer. Upon removingthe spline, the circular socket is a mere circular through hole which isable to receive a cylindrical deformable rod and allow it to rotatefreely within the socket.

The assembly further includes a stopper having a channel, a thumb holdand a ridge, wherein the channel is defined by a lengthwise portion of acylinder and includes a central axis. The ridge is disposed along an arcin a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of thechannel. The thumb hold is opposingly disposed from the channel and usedas a leverage to facilitate the removal of an installed rod from achannel.

Similar to a connecting block, the stopper is also configured to becoupled to a cylindrical deformable rod. In use, the cylindricaldeformable rod is forced into the channel such that the central axis ofthe cylindrical deformable rod is substantially parallel to the centralaxis of the channel and the cylindrical deformable rod deforms to form agroove to accommodate the ridge. In its inserted state, the cylindricaldeformable rod is disposed substantially coaxial with the channel andsliding relationship between the channel and the cylindrical deformablerod is prevented.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provideconnecting blocks that cooperate with elementary rods to create areleasably engaged assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide stoppers thatcooperate with elementary rods to create a releasably engaged assembly.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provideconnecting blocks which can be used both to releasably engage a rod inits unmodified form and also ones that can be used to support rotatingrods with minor modification.

Whereas there may be many embodiments of the present invention, eachembodiment may meet one or more of the foregoing recited objects in anycombination. It is not intended that each embodiment will necessarilymeet each objective. Thus, having broadly outlined the more importantfeatures of the present invention in order that the detailed descriptionthereof may be better understood, and that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated, there are, of course, additionalfeatures of the present invention that will be described herein and willform a part of the subject matter of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantagesand objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular descriptionof the invention briefly described above will be rendered by referenceto specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective exploded view of a fastening assemblydepicting the use of two virgin cylindrical deformable rods toreleasably engage two connecting blocks.

FIG. 2 is a front orthogonal view of a connecting block and two fittedrods.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a first fastening assemblydepicting the use of two cylindrical deformable rods to releasablyengage two connecting blocks.

FIG. 3A depicts a prior art rod and connecting block assembly.

FIG. 3B depicts an assembly constructed from a plurality of prior artconnecting blocks and rods.

FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of a connecting block and acylindrical deformable rod inserted into a socket of the connectingblock.

FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of a connecting block and acylindrical deformable rod pulled out from a socket of the connectingblock after getting releasably engaged to the socket.

FIG. 6 is a partial front orthogonal view of a connecting blockdepicting a pair of sockets.

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional orthogonal view of a connectingblock depicting a socket as taken along line C-C of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a partial front orthogonal view of a connecting blockdepicting a second embodiment of a socket.

FIG. 7A is a partial orthogonal view of a connecting block depicting asocket having a pointed profiled spline pattern.

FIG. 7B is a partial orthogonal view of a connecting block depicting asocket having a pointed profiled spline pattern.

FIG. 7C is a partial orthogonal view of a connecting block depicting asocket having a polygonal profiled spline pattern.

FIG. 7D is a partial orthogonal view of a connecting block depicting asocket having an aslant profiled spline pattern.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a reamer and a connecting blockdepicting the use of the reamer to convert a socket into a through hole.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drill bit and a connecting blockdepicting the use of the drill bit to convert a socket into a throughhole.

FIG. 10 is a partial front perspective of a connecting block depicting areamed socket.

FIG. 11 depicts the use of a reamer on the assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 depicts the assembly of FIG. 3 having two reamed sockets.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a second assembly depicting theuse of a cylindrical deformable rod to releasably engage a gear.

FIG. 14 is a front orthogonal view of the gear of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the fastening assembly of FIG. 13and the cylindrical deformable rod inserted in a socket of the gear.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a combination of the first andsecond assemblies depicting the second assembly being aligned to beinserted into the modified sockets of the first assembly.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a combination of the first andsecond assemblies depicting the mounting of the second assembly in thefirst assembly.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of a stopper.

FIG. 19 is a side orthogonal view of the stopper of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective exploded view of a third assembly depictingthe use of a cylindrical deformable rod to releasably engage a stopper.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective exploded view of a third assembly depictingthe insertion of the cylindrical deformable rod in the space between achannel and a thumb hold.

FIG. 22 is a side orthogonal view of a third assembly depicting amounted cylindrical deformable rod in the channel of the stopper.

FIG. 23 is a top front perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG.22.

FIG. 24 is a top front sectional perspective view of the third assemblyas taken along line A-A of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a bottom orthogonal view of the third assembly as taken alongline B-B of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a top front perspective view of the third assembly depictingthe cylindrical deformable rod being removed from the stopper.

FIG. 27 is a top from perspective view of the third assembly depictingthe cylindrical deformable rod having been removed from the stopper andthe deformation resulted from having mounted the cylindrical deformablerod in the channel of the stopper.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a combination of the first andsecond assemblies and a stopper of the third assembly depicting the useof a stopper to secure the second assembly and the stopper of the thirdassembly onto the first assembly.

FIG. 29 depicts another example of combining the first, second and thirdassemblies.

FIG. 30 is a top front perspective view of an alternate connectingblock.

FIG. 31 is a bottom rear perspective view of the alternate connectingblock of FIG. 30.

The drawings are not to scale, in fact, some aspects have beenemphasized for a better illustration and understanding of the writtendescription.

PARTS LIST

-   2—connecting block-   3—socket opening-   4—socket-   5—internal wall of socket-   6—relief-   7—central axis of socket-   8—spline-   9—transverse cross-sectional area of spline-   10—rod-   12—reamer-   14—spline cutter-   16—handle-   18—deformable rod end-   20—fitted rod end-   22—gear-   24—alternate connecting block-   26—pointed profiled spline-   28—polygonal profiled spline-   30—aslant profiled spline-   32—reamed socket-   34—drill bit-   36—stopper-   38—installation guide-   40—channel-   41—diameter of channel-   42—ridge-   43—height of ridge-   44—direction in seating a rod to stopper-   46—impression or groove made in rod due to seating of rod to socket-   48—impression or groove made in rod due to seating of rod to stopper-   50—thumb hold-   52—force as applied using a thumb-   54—force as applied using a finger-   56—bevel angle of socket opening-   58—prior art rod-   60—prior art connecting block-   62—socket of prior art connecting block-   64—rod end of prior art connecting block

PARTICULAR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present fastening assembly enables the use of stock or elementaryrods for constructing toys. Rather than being premanufactured tospecified lengths, stock rods are simply cut to desired lengths by usersduring use to suit particular purposes. This provides a manufacturingadvantage in that the stock rods may be provided at a lower cost due toa fewer number of steps required to construct such rods where the stockrods are merely machined into feature deficient rods. Further, a user ofthe present invention need not be concerned with stocking rods ofvarious fixed lengths to anticipate potential usage, thereby reducingthe cost associated with storage or logistics management of the rods. Inone preferred embodiment, the rods are constructed from a natural woodmaterial which is biodegradable and recyclable as compared to plastic ormetal materials which are traditionally used for such rods.

The present invention enables versatile positioning of a socket alongthe length of a rod. A connecting block is forced to slide along thelength of the rod to a desired position. In contrast to prior art rodswhose end portions are configured to interface with sockets, the presentrods and sockets are designed to allow sockets to be installed at aposition farther removed from a rod end. As a result of suchversatility, a more sophisticated structure can be built with thepresent rods and connecting blocks which otherwise requires purposebuilt building blocks, rods or other interfaces.

Sockets having tapered through holes that are commonly used totemporarily secure rods. In contrast, by disposing a plurality ofsplines within a socket having an opening with a final usable diameter,the required force to enable rod rotation in the socket of the presentinvention is significantly less than the amount of force required ofsockets having tapered through holes due to the availability of theopening already having the final usable diameter. Further, a rod can bepositively secured against rotation within the spline equipped socket ofthe present invention. In the case of a tapered through hole, slightrelative axial movement between the socket and the rod causes thesocket-rod engagement to fail.

Each socket opening is configured to incline inwardly toward the centerof the socket. Such incline serves as a guide to focus or center theeffort of inserting a rod in the socket, thereby eliminating wastedeffort due to misalignment of the rod against the socket.

The requirement for a precise rod end is relaxed with the use ofsplines. Unlike tapered sockets, the relatively large difference betweenthe diameter of a rod and the diameter of a socket relaxes therequirement for rods or sockets of precise dimensions, thereby reducingmanufacturing costs and wastes.

The sockets of the present invention are designed to be dual-use. Theconnecting blocks can be used both to releasably engage a rod in itsunmodified form. The connecting blocks can also be used to support oneor more rotating rods with minor modification to their sockets. Thetarget socket clearance for receiving and supporting a rod is achievableby mere removal of splines from each socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front perspective exploded view of a fastening assemblydepicting the use of two virgin cylindrical deformable rods 10 toreleasably engage two connecting blocks 2. In this example, a pair ofconnecting blocks 2 and a pair of rods 10 are provided. In practice, aplurality of connecting blocks 2 and rods 10 can be combined toconstruct rather complex structures. The present fastening assemblyprovides versatile building blocks for constructing structures. Eachcylindrical deformable rod 10 may be any dowel, stick, or otherwisefeatureless, elongated circular bar of suitable length. Rods 10 areprovided in stock lengths of for example 8 feet, 6 feet, etc. An enduser selects a desired length and cuts a rod to the desired length usinga pair of scissors, a knife or any sharp cutting tools. Contrary toconventional rods used in conventional toy sets, rods of the presentinvention are designed to be cut into suitable lengths without affectingthe quality of joints that will result from the process of attachingrods to connecting blocks. Conventional rods are manufactured to fixedlengths such as 2 inches, 4 inches, and the like. Each of them furtherincludes socket interfacing features which allow it to be attached to amating socket. Modification to an end of such a conventional rodtypically alters its functionality. In the present fastening assembly,an end user need not be concerned with the lengths of rods as rods ofany reasonable lengths can be easily obtained. The applicant discoveredthat soft woods such as basswood, pine and poplar are suitable to beused as the rods. Other materials such as plastic may also be used,provided that the hardness of such material ranges from Rockwell R50-130. In one embodiment, the rods 10 are provided in diameters ofabout 0.2 inches, although various other sizes may also be suitable.Connecting blocks 2 are preferably constructed from plastic having ahardness ranging from 40 to 90 Durometer (Shore) D, i.e., hardnessexceeding that of a mating rod 10.

FIG. 2 is a front orthogonal view of a connecting block 2 and two fittedrods 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each connecting block 2 includes aplurality of sockets 4. In this example, the sockets 4 are provided inpairs although it is unnecessary to do so as will be demonstratedelsewhere in the document. Each socket 4 is substantially circular.Although not required, each socket 4 is disposed perpendicularly to asurface of a connecting block 2. In each pair of sockets, a relief 6 isdisposed between the sockets 4 to make inserting of a rod easier. As arod 10 is forced into a socket 4, the relief 6 allows the socket 4 totemporarily deform to accommodate the rod 10. When insertion iscomplete, resilience of the socket material causes the socket to returnto its original shape and size. Such deformation is also important toallow easy insertion and operation of a spline cutter or a drill bit 34.Alternatively, one or more individual reliefs 6 may be built into eachsocket 4.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a first fastening assemblydepicting the use of two cylindrical deformable rods 10 to releasablyengage two connecting blocks 2. The rods 10 are cut to substantiallysimilar length and each rod 10 is forced into a socket at one of itsends. FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of a connecting block 2and a rod 10 inserted into a socket 4 of the connecting block 2. FIG. 5is a partial front perspective view of a connecting block 2 and a rod 10pulled out from a socket 4 of the connecting block 2 after gettingreleasably engaged to the socket 4. It shall be noted that thedeformable rod end 18 deforms to form grooves 46 in order to conform tothe splines 8 of the socket 4. As a result, the fitted/deformed end 20of the rod 10 cooperates with the splines 8 to prevent relative rotationbetween them. In one embodiment, the maximum force required to mount arod 10 to a socket is 10 lbs. In one embodiment, the minimum amount offorce required to initiate sliding of a fitted rod 10 relative to itsmating socket 4 is 2 lbs.

FIG. 3A depicts a prior art rod 58 and connecting block 60 assembly.FIG. 3B depicts an assembly constructed from a plurality of prior artconnecting blocks 60 and rods 58. These are sample construction elementsof toy construction set TINKERTOY® marketed by Hasbro, Inc. As depictedin FIG. 3A, the rod 58 includes a sprung rod end 64 having a flatcutout. The diameter of the rod end 64 is configured slightly largerthan the socket 62. In order to install a rod 58 in the socket 62, therod end 64 is compressed in the direction of the flat cutout to resultin a smaller diameter so that it can be inserted into and frictionfitted in the socket 62. Such installation lacks positive locking as atorque applied to the rod against the connecting block 60 can easilyovercome the friction which holds the two parts together. In contrast,the combination of splines disposed in a socket of the present inventionand the mating grooves formed on a rod as a result of forcing a rodagainst the splines provides positive locking to prevent relativerotational movement of the rod 10 and the connecting block 2 as shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial front orthogonal view of a connecting block 2depicting a pair of sockets 4. Each socket 4 includes an internal wall 5and a central axis 7. In this example, six splines 8 are disposedsymmetrically about the central axis 7 along the internal wall 5 in astar configuration. Each spline 8 is preferably configured such that itslongitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the central axis 7 of thesocket 4 along which it is disposed. It is not necessary to configuresplines to the star configuration as depicted in FIG. 6. Applicantdiscovered that by appropriately sizing the transverse cross-sectionalarea 9 of the splines with respect to the area of the socket opening 3,the rod 10 can be forced into the socket without undue force whileproviding the ability to axially retain the rod 10 and preventrotational relationship between the rod 10 and the socket 4. The ratioof the transverse cross-sectional area of the splines to the area of thesocket opening preferably ranges from 0.035 to 0.51. More preferably,this ratio ranges from 0.045 to 0.48. One example of the transversecross-sectional area is the hatched area shown in FIG. 7. The area ofthe socket opening is then the area bounded by the socket opening 3 ofthe same figure.

The use of splines 8 is not limited to the pattern shown in FIG. 6. Inorder to create suitable attachment to a socket, a rod diameter shall beappropriately sized. Preferably the ratio of the rod diameter to thesocket opening diameter ranges from about 0.70 to 0.98 and the rod isinserted into the socket substantially coaxially with the socket. Morepreferably, the ratio is about 0.90. The relatively large differencebetween the diameter of the rod and the diameter of the socket openingrelaxes the requirement for precise rod or socket dimensions, therebyreducing manufacturing costs and wastes.

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional orthogonal view of a connectingblock depicting a socket as taken along line C-C of FIG. 6. The socketopening is beveled to incline inwardly at an angle 56 of from 10 to 60degrees from a plane of the socket opening towards the center of thesocket. Such incline aids in focusing the effort of inserting a rod inthe socket, thereby eliminating wasted effort due to misalignment of therod with respect to the socket.

FIG. 7 is a partial front orthogonal view of another embodiment of asocket. In this embodiment, a relief is not provided. Various otherspline profiles may also be used. FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are partialorthogonal views of a connecting block depicting a socket having a firstpointed 26 profiled spline pattern, a second pointed 26 profiled splinepattern, a polygonal 28 profiled spline pattern and an aslant 30profiled spline pattern respectively.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a reamer and a connecting blockdepicting the use of the reamer to convert a socket into a through hole.Contrary to conventional sockets, the present sockets are configured tobe dual-use. On the one hand, each socket is designed to releasablyengage a rod while on the other hand it can be converted to a throughhole to allow the same rod to penetrate and be supported by itsconnecting block. As shown in FIG. 8, a reamer 12 having a spline cutter14 and a handle 16 is used to remove splines of a socket or tode-feature the socket. The handle 16 can be any bar or rod that is sizedfor grip with the palm of a hand and is secured to the spline cutter 14.In use, the reamer 12 may be inserted manually towards a socket whilecoupled with a twisting motion at the handle 16 to progressively cut andremove the splines of the socket. In another instance as depicted inFIG. 9, a traditional drill bit may also be used to remove splines. FIG.10 is a partial front perspective view of a connecting block 2 depictinga reamed socket 32. As shown, the reamed socket lacks splines andtherefore allows insertion of a rod. Each spline spans a circumferenceportion of the circumference of an opening of a socket. In oneembodiment, the ratio of the total length encompassed by circumferenceportions of splines to the circumference of the opening on which thesplines are disposed preferably does not exceed 0.7 such that thesplines are easily removed in order to convert the socket to a smooththrough hole.

As another example of the use of a reamer, FIG. 11 depicts the use of areamer on the assembly of FIG. 3. FIG. 12 depicts the assembly of FIG. 3having two reamed sockets in anticipation to receive a rod.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a second assembly depicting theuse of a cylindrical deformable rod to releasably engage a gear 22. FIG.14 is a front orthogonal view of the gear of FIG. 13. There is a totalof five sockets and the sockets of the gear are similar in concept tothe sockets shown earlier. However, two reliefs are applied to thecentral socket of the gear and the remaining sockets lack any relief.FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the fastening assembly of FIG. 13and the cylindrical deformable rod inserted in a socket of the gear,resulting in a plurality of grooves 46 on the end of the rod 10 whichhas been forced through the socket. As shown in FIG. 15, the socket isinstalled at a position farther removed from a rod end. In aconventional construction toy set, only rod ends are configured to beinserted in a socket. Therefore, each conventional rod may not beinserted beyond its ends. However a rod 10 of the present invention canbe inserted in a present socket as far as desired.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a combination of the first andsecond assemblies depicting the second assembly being aligned to beinserted through the de-splined sockets of the first assembly. FIG. 17is a front perspective view of a combination of the first and secondassemblies depicting the mounting of the second assembly in the firstassembly. The rod on which the gear is attached is configured to rotatefreely within the de-splined sockets. In order to prevent this rod fromgetting detached, it needs to be secured with a stopper.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of a stopper 36 which may be usedto secure the second assembly to the first assembly. FIG. 19 is a sideorthogonal view of the stopper 36 of FIG. 18 depicting the direction 44in which a rod is seated in the channel 40. An installation guide 38connects the thumb hold 50 to the channel 40 to aid in guiding the rod10 for insertion into the channel 40 from the opening created betweenthe thumb hold 50 and the channel 40. The stopper 36 includes a channel40, a thumb hold 50 and a ridge 42, wherein the thumb hold 50 isopposingly disposed from the channel 40. The channel 40 is defined by alengthwise portion of a cylinder having a central axis. The ridge isdisposed along an arc in a plane substantially perpendicular to thecentral axis of channel 40.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective exploded view of a third assembly depictingthe use of a cylindrical deformable rod to releasably engage a stopper36. FIG. 21 is a top perspective exploded view of a third assemblydepicting the insertion of the cylindrical deformable rod 10 in thespace between a channel 40 and a thumb hold 50. FIG. 22 is a sideorthogonal view of a third assembly depicting a mounted cylindricaldeformable rod 10 in the channel 40 of the stopper 36. FIG. 23 is a topfront perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 22. The rod 10 isconfigured to be releasably engaged to the stopper 36 by forcing the rod10 into the channel 40 such that the rod 10 deforms to accommodate theridge 42 and the rod is substantially coaxial with the channel 40 andsliding relationship between the rod 10 and the channel 40 is prevented.In one embodiment, the maximum force required to secure a cylindricaldeformable rod to a stopper is 10 lbs.

The applicant discovered various factors affecting the performance ofthe stopper 36. As the transverse cross-sectional area of the ridge 42is increased, the ridge 42 becomes more able in preventing sliding ofthe rod 10 with respect to the channel 40. As the diameter of thechannel 40 increases, the ridge 42 becomes less able in preventingsliding of the rod 10 with respect to the channel. As the height 43 ofthe ridge 42 increases, the ridge 42 becomes more able in preventingsliding of the rod with respect to the channel. Preferably, the ratio ofthe height ̂2 (square of height 43) of ridge to the transversecross-sectional area of the ridge ranges from 0.66 to 8.

FIG. 24 is a top front sectional perspective view of the third assemblyas taken along line A-A of FIG. 22. FIG. 25 is a bottom orthogonal viewof the third assembly as taken along line B-B of FIG. 22. It is evidentthat the rod 10 deformed to accommodate the ridge 42 and the relativesliding movement between the rod 10 and channel 40 is ceased. Althoughnot desired or designed in such a way, relative rotational movementbetween the rod 10 and the channel 40 is not prevented.

FIG. 26 is a top front perspective view of the third assembly depictingthe cylindrical deformable rod 10 being removed from the stopper 36.FIG. 27 is a top front perspective view of the third assembly depictingthe cylindrical deformable rod 10 having been removed from the stopper36 and the deformation resulted from having mounted the cylindricaldeformable rod 10 in the channel 40 of the stopper. It should be notedthat a groove 48 developed on a portion of the rod 10 as a result oflodging the rod 10 in the channel 40.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a combination of the first andsecond assemblies and a stopper of the third assembly depicting the useof the stopper to secure the second and third assemblies onto the firstassembly. The stopper prevents the second assembly from dislodging fromthe second assembly while allowing the rod of the second assembly torotate freely within the reamed sockets 32. FIG. 29 depicts anotherexample of combining the first, second and third assemblies.

FIG. 30 is a top front perspective view of an alternate connecting block24. FIG. 31 is a bottom rear perspective view of the alternateconnecting block 24 of FIG. 30. As illustrated herein, the previouslydisclosed rod and socket concept can be applied to blocks or componentsof other sizes and shapes. In this example, two parallelly disposedsockets are disposed about a central socket that is disposedperpendicularly to the two parallel sockets. This configuration enablesextension of the structure in a new dimension. Each of the parallelsockets further includes a relief.

1. A fastening assembly for preventing rotational movement of a firstcomponent with respect to a second component of said fastening assembly,wherein: (a) said second component comprises a cylindrical deformablerod having a transverse cross-sectional area and two opposing ends, and(b) said first component comprises a circular socket i. having aninternal wall, an opening and at least one spline having a transversecross-sectional area, wherein said at least one spline is disposed aboutsaid internal wall, and ii. is configured to receive one of said twoopposing ends by force to cause said one of said two opposing ends todeform and to conform to the shape of said at least one spline toprevent rotational movement of said first component relative to saidsecond component.
 2. The fastening assembly of claim 1, wherein a ratioof a transverse cross-sectional area of said at least one spline to atransverse cross-sectional area of said cylindrical deformable rodranges from about 0.035 to 0.51.
 3. A fastening assembly for preventingsliding movement of a first component with respect to a second componentof said assembly, said assembly comprising: (a) said first componentcomprising a cylindrical deformable rod having a first central axis; and(b) said second component comprising i. at least one stopper having achannel including a length, a diameter and a central axis, ii. a thumbhold, and iii. at least one ridge having a transverse cross-sectionalarea, wherein said channel is defined by a lengthwise portion of acylinder, and said at least one ridge is disposed along an arc in aplane substantially perpendicular to said central axis of said channel,and said thumb hold is opposingly disposed from said channel, whereinsaid cylindrical deformable rod is forced into said channel such thatsaid channel is substantially coaxial with said cylindrical deformablerod and said cylindrical deformable rod deforms to conform to the shapeof said at least one ridge to prevent rotational movement of said firstcomponent relative to said second component and said thumb hold is usedas leverage to release said first component from said second component.4. A fastening device for engaging at least one cylindrical deformablerod having a central axis, a first diameter and two opposing ends, saidfastening device comprising: a connecting block comprising at least onecircular socket having an opening, an internal wall, a central axis, adiameter of said opening and at least one spline having a longitudinalaxis and a transverse cross-sectional area, wherein said at least onecircular socket is disposed in said at least one connecting block andsaid at least one spline is disposed on said internal wall and spans acircumference portion of said opening of said at least one circularsocket and the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to thecentral axis of said at least one circular socket, wherein the at leastone cylindrical deformable rod is configured to be releasably engaged tosaid at least one connecting block by forcing one of the two opposingends of the at least one cylindrical deformable rod into said at leastone circular socket such that said one of said two opposing ends deformsto accommodate said at least one spline, said at least one cylindricaldeformable rod is substantially coaxial with said at least one circularsocket and rotational of said at least one circular socket with respectto the at least one cylindrical deformable rod is prevented and slidingof said at least one circular socket with respect to the at least onecylindrical deformable rod is initiated only by a force of at least 2lbs.
 5. The fastening device of claim 4, wherein said opening is beveledwith an angle sloping inwardly toward the center of the opening at anangle of from 10 to 60 degrees from a plane defining said opening ofsaid circular socket.
 6. The fastening device of claim 4, wherein aratio of said transverse cross-sectional area of said at least onespline and the area of said opening of said at least one socket rangesfrom about 0.035 to 0.51.
 7. The fastening device of claim 4, wherein aratio of the first diameter and said diameter of said opening rangesfrom about 0.70 to 0.98.
 8. The fastening device of claim 4, wherein aratio of said circumference portion to a circumference of said openingof said at least one circular socket is no more than 0.7 such that saidat least one spline is easily removed in order to convert said at leastone circular socket to a smooth through hole.
 9. A fastening device forengaging at least one cylindrical deformable rod having a central axis,said fastening device comprising: at least one stopper having a channel,a thumb hold and at least one ridge having a transverse cross-sectionalarea, wherein said channel is defined by a lengthwise portion of acylinder and includes a central axis and a diameter, said at least oneridge is disposed along an arc in a plane substantially perpendicular tosaid central axis of said channel, and said thumb hold is opposinglydisposed from said channel, wherein said at least one cylindricaldeformable rod is configured to be releasably engaged to said at leastone stopper by forcing said at least one cylindrical deformable rod intosaid channel such that said at least one cylindrical deformable roddeforms to accommodate said at least one ridge, said at least onecylindrical deformable rod is substantially coaxial with said channeland a sliding relationship between said at least one cylindricaldeformable rod and said channel is prevented and wherein said thumb holdis used as leverage to release said at least one cylindrical deformablerod from said channel.
 10. The fastening device of claim 9, wherein aratio of said height of said ridge to said transverse cross-sectionalarea ranges from 0.66 to
 8. 11. A fastening assembly for constructing areleasably engaged structure, said fastening assembly comprising: (a) atleast one connecting block comprising at least one circular sockethaving an internal wall, a central axis, an opening, a diameter of saidopening and at least one spline having a longitudinal axis and atransverse cross-sectional area, wherein said at least one circularsocket is disposed in said at least one connecting block and said atleast one spline is disposed on said internal wall, and the longitudinalaxis is substantially parallel to the central axis of said at least onecircular socket; and (b) at least one cylindrical deformable rod havinga central axis, two opposing ends, a second diameter and a transversecross-sectional area; wherein said at least one cylindrical deformablerod is configured to be releasably engaged to said at least oneconnecting block by forcing one of said deformable ends into said atleast one circular socket such that one of said deformable ends deformsto accommodate said at least one spline, said at least one cylindricaldeformable rod is substantially coaxial with said at least one circularsocket and rotational relationship between said at least one circularsocket and said at least one cylindrical deformable rod is prevented.12. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein a ratio of said seconddiameter to the diameter of said opening ranges from about 0.70 to 0.98.13. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein said at least oneconnecting block is constructed from plastic.
 14. The fastening assemblyof claim 11, wherein said at least one cylindrical deformable rod isconstructed from a material selected from a group consisting of wood andplastic.
 15. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein said at leastone connecting block is constructed from a material comprising ahardness ranging from Rockwell R 50-130 and said at least onecylindrical deformable rod is constructed from a material comprising ahardness ranging from 40-90 Durometer (Shore) D.
 16. The fasteningassembly of claim 11, further comprising a reamer including a splinecutter configured to be disposed within said at least one circularsocket for removing said at least one spline from said at least onecircular socket.
 17. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein a ratioof a transverse cross-sectional area of said at least one spline to anarea of said opening ranges from about 0.035 to 0.51.
 18. A fasteningassembly for constructing a releasably engaged structure, said assemblycomprising: (a) at least one stopper having a channel, a thumb hold andat least one ridge having a transverse cross-sectional area, whereinsaid channel is defined by a lengthwise portion of a cylinder, saidchannel having a central axis, said at least one ridge is disposed alonga arc in a plane substantially perpendicular to said central axis ofsaid channel, said thumb hold is opposingly disposed from said channel;and (b) at least one cylindrical deformable rod having a central axisand a second diameter; wherein said at least one cylindrical deformablerod is configured to be releasably engaged to said at least one stopperby forcing said at least one cylindrical deformable rod into saidchannel such that said at least one cylindrical deformable rod deformsto accommodate said at least one ridge, said at least one cylindricaldeformable rod is substantially coaxial with said channel and slidingrelationship between said at least one cylindrical deformable rod andsaid channel is prevented and said thumb hold is used as leverage torelease said first component from said second component.
 19. Thefastening assembly of claim 18, wherein said at least one stopper isconstructed from plastic.
 20. The fastening assembly of claim 18,wherein said at least one cylindrical deformable rod is constructed froma material selected from a group consisting of wood and plastic.